Scientists from Cornell University are developing a real-world version of the “immobility suit” featured in adaptations of Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic Dune, which could be used by future astronauts as they launch missions to the International Space Station. to the moon and beyond.
In order to survive on the brutally dry world of Arrakis, the people inhabiting Herbert’s fictional desert world were forced to develop specialized clothing designed to capture and recycle every drop of body moisture for reuse. These ‘suits’ prevented moisture loss while filtering the body’s sweat and urine to provide potable water that would allow the Fremen people to thrive under the harsh glare of Arrakis’ star.
Now, scientists are trying to harness similar technology to improve the lives of astronauts embarking on arduous spacewalks to the outer body of the International Space Station (ISS), and potentially, on future missions to the surface of the Moon and Mars.
The impracticality and staggering expense of transporting fresh water to the ISS has led the orbital station to be equipped with a life support system that recycles 98% of the crew’s wastewater.. During spacewalks, however, astronauts have no choice but to ease into high-tech adult diapers known as Maximum Absorbency Garments (MAGs), which are worn between the suit and the crew members’ bare skin.
As you can imagine, this has the potential to be a pretty unpleasant experience, both in terms of hygiene and comfort, especially considering the length of your average spacewalk, and the reality that space diapers aren’t always perfect for made them. work.
“MAG has reportedly leaked and caused health problems such as urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal distress,” said Sofia Etlin, a research fellow at Cornell University who served as first author of the study detailing the invention. “Furthermore, astronauts currently have only one liter of water available in their in-suit beverage bags. This is insufficient for planned and longer spacewalks, which can last ten hours and even up to 24 hours in an emergency.
Cornell’s proposed solution would have NASA and its partners move to a more elegant approach to microgravity bath time, in which waste urine is absorbed by a molded silicone ‘collection cup’ placed around the genitals by using a wet activated vacuum pump. “I’ve been a fan of the Dune series for as long as I can remember,” Etlin explained in an interview with Science News. “Building a real-life photo suit was always a dream.”
The water is then sent to an eightkg filtration backpack that uses osmosis to purify the liquid, removing uric acid, ammonia, calcium and urea before enriching it with electrolytes and sending it back into the suit’s water supply. Delicious. According to the design posted in the journal Frontiers in Space Technologies, the system will be able to clean 500ml in about five minutes, using less than ten percent of the spacesuit’s energy.
Is the concept as stylish as the costume worn by Paul Atreides in the film adaptation of Denis Villeneuve: The Second Part? No, but it certainly sounds more appealing than the current generation of absorbent astro pants used by the ISS crew today. The team is looking to test a prototype of their ‘suit’ system on Earth in a simulated microgravity environment, before an astronaut uses the experimental technology for a real-world trial at some point in the future.
For more space news, why not read about NASA’s plan to return astronauts to the Moon as part of its Artemis program, or learn about the latest SpaceX Starship test flight, which saw the big booster of the missile to make a powerful splash in the Gulf of Mexico.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video game news for IGN. He has over eight years of experience covering groundbreaking developments in multiple scientific fields and has absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer